Virtual Acoustic Environment ™
Only at MacDonald Audiology.
Hearing precisely just became easier.
In Rochester, we now have the first and only comprehensive Virtual Acoustic Environment™ (VAE) sound suite, allowing patients to experience real-world situations with even greater accuracy. This enables us to optimize your hearing aid settings by fully testing and quantifying the level of your hearing improvement.
Everyone has different tolerances and needs for communication. Our patients who have used the VAE as a part of their intial fitting showed more success and were happier overall with how they hear on a daily basis.
HISTORY
In 2016, Northwestern University launched the only audiology practice in the country to offer this service. We are proud to offer our patients this unique way to fine-tune medical hearing devices in specific environments.
Designed and created by Dr. MacDonald, this innovative system immediately shows how your current instrument is functioning and allows for improved real-time adjustment and retesting during a fitting appointment.
Dr. Matthew MacDonald created this brand new protocol and tool development for sound-simulation for his patients. Development took over a year to complete and test. Any MacDonald Audiology patient wearing a medical hearing device fitted by us has access to this process during a fitting appointment.
Our practice is the ONLY practice that offers this advanced level service in the Rochester-Buffalo-Syracuse region.
If hearing at your best is important to you, call to set up your next hearing appointment.
ONLINE APPOINTMENT REQUEST
Schedule your AI hearing aid appointment
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Hearing Aids
Are AI hearing aids worth it?
Yes, AI hearing aids significantly improve speech clarity in noisy environments and reduce listening fatigue, making them a valuable upgrade for many patients.
How do AI hearing aids work?
They use machine learning to analyze sounds in your environment/s and automatically adjust your settings in real time for seamless hearing advantages.
What is the best AI hearing aid in 2026?
Top options include the Phonak Audeo Sphere and Oticon Intent, depending on your personal hearing needs.
Where can I get AI hearing aids in Rochester, NY?
MacDonald Audiology offers expert fittings and access to the latest AI hearing technology in Rochester, NY.